Many may know the Ari neighborhood as a trendy home to hip cafes, cool restaurants, and other places where people who call themselves foodies hang out – but what if we move a bit further north?
Step outside BTS Saphan Khwai and walk down to Soi Pradiphat, we say. It’s a cool, up-and-coming area with good grub and relatively affordable booze to be found, and it looks like new spots open up around here often. If you’re not yet familiar with the street, then here are a few restaurants and one cafe we like to check out when we’re there.
Nai Cho Fishball Noodle
Tender noodles, satisfying meatballs and savory broth – always a winning combination. Nai Cho, housed in a small shophouse, serves noodle bowls with crispy wonton strips and freshly-made, flour-free fish balls. Each dish is as cheap as THB40 to 50.
FIND IT: Soi Pradiphat 7
Raan-Keng
The food at this cozy, azure-hued restaurant is the intersection of where Japanese izakaya fare and Isan cuisine meet. Keeping with the colored theme, the kitchen also uses butterfly pea flower to make the food and drinks dyed a natural blue color. Signature dishes include Butterfly Pea Shrimp Tempura (THB189), Tofu Steak (THB99) and Phla Salmon (spicy Thai salad with salmon sashimi, THB199). If you’re craving spicy papaya salad, then it’s a must to order Isan Kaya Somtum (THB599), which comes with a big tray serving seven Japanese and Isan dishes such as som tum, sticky rice, pork rinds, salmon sashimi, Tonkatsu pork cutlets and chicken karaage.
FIND IT: Soi Pradiphat 14
Tora Tora Japanese Kitchen
Hidden in Soi Pradiphat 6, and owned by Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef Warot Wirunpanich, Tora Tora is a haven for people who love red meat. The kitchen’s most famous dish, which has gained popularity thanks to social media, is its Steak Don (THB299), a pan-seared striploin steak served on top of steamed Japanese rice and onsen tamago (Japanese-style soft-boiled egg). Non-beef eaters can opt for the Katsu Don (THB139) or Buta Kimchi (THB139).
FIND IT: Soi Pradiphat 6
Ban Ya Kaad
This restaurant, set in a glass and white-hued wooden home, is surrounded by a lush garden. Here, it’s all about integrating art with classic Thai dishes — Ban Ya Kaad is known for its thoughtful, artful presentation of each dish. The highlights on the menu include Yum Mang Moom (deep-fried shrimp heads mixed with herbs, THB185), shrimp paste fried rice with mackerel (THB185) and roasted duck breast with pomelo salad (THB245).
FIND IT: Soi Pradiphat 10
Dalad Vietnamese Restaurant
Fans of Vietnamese cuisine have a dining option in Dalad Restaurant. Spanning the space of a two-story house, Dalad offers a good selection of Vietnamese dishes at affordable prices, starting at only THB100 each. Go for a simple bowl of pho or share nam nueng (meatballs wrapped in rice paper and served in a big platter filled with fresh herbs and vegetables).
FIND IT: Soi Pradiphat 19
Amp Burger & Bar
If you’re up for a night of a big burgers and cold beer, then this casual diner could be the perfect destination. On the menu is a variety of comfort food like fish & chips and homemade potato wedges, but it’s the restaurant’s notorious Amp Signature Burger — which comes with bacon, battered shrimps, cheddar cheese and homemade barbecue sauce for THB17 — that’s the real draw here.
FIND IT: Soi Pradiphat 6
Krua Pradiphat
Famous among habitual late-night eaters, Krua Pradiphat serves classic Thai and Chinese dishes. There’s a wide selection of food here, but the dishes that get ordered by most customers are the deep-fried snapper with fish sauce, and the spicy chicken feet soup — named “Super Soup” on the menu. The restaurant currently opens daily from 10:30pm until 3am.
FIND IT: Soi Pradiphat 6
Slow Hands Cafe
Tucked away underneath an apartment on Soi Pradiphat 23, this minimalistic cafe is a hidden gem that’s favored by many of the city’s regular cafe hoppers. The best sweet treats here include Matcha Chocolate, Chocolate Marshmallows (hot chocolate served with toasted marshmallows on top) and Popcorn Caramel (milk with caramel syrup, topped with crunchy popcorn). Hot drinks go for THB60 each, while cold ones are priced at THB65 an order.
FIND IT: Soi Pradiphat 23
More from our Soi Food Series:
Soi Food Series: Near the skyscrapers of Sathorn, great street eats on Soi Suan Phlu
Soi Food Series: Ditch the cliche Yaowarat and get yourself to Soi Yotse
Soi Food Series: Step into Sriyan, an old neighborhood with plenty of food
Soi Food Series: Explore long legacy of street food at Talat Phlu
